Gonorrhea Symptoms – STD Symptoms & Signs

4 out of 5 women and 1 out of 10 men with gonorrhea have no STD symptoms.

They may be completely unaware that they have caught the disease, and therefore do not seek treatment.

This increases the risk of complications and the chances of passing the infection on to another person.

Symptoms are similar to those of Chlamydia (it is common to have these infections at the same time) and when symptoms do present, they usually show up between 2 and 10 days after sexual contact. However, in men, symptoms may take up to a month to appear. Although most women infected will remain asymptomatic (without symptoms), women who do develop noticeable symptoms usually do so within 10 days of infection.

Symptoms may also only appear in the morning and may be mild, especially for men. That’s why many people do not realize they have an infection. Infections in the throat in particular, and also in the cervix and rectum, often cause no symptoms at all.

Gonorrhea infections in the urethra are most likely to cause symptoms.

Gonorrhea Symptoms in Men:

Burning or pain when urinating

Abnormal fluid discharge from the penis (white, yellow, or green in color)

Swelling and/or redness around the urethra

Slight fever

Need to urinate more often

Itching or tingling feeling inside the penis

Pain, swelling, or tender testicles

Increased urinary frequency or urgency

Red or swollen opening of penis

Gonorrhea Symptoms in Women:

Burning or pain when urinating

Increased fluid discharge from the vagina

Slight fever

Need to urinate more often

Change in the period or a more painful period

Bleeding or spotting between periods

Pain during or after sex

Pain in the lower stomach area

Severe pain in lower abdomen

Menstrual irregularities

Swelling or tenderness of the vulva

Throwing up

Yellowish or yellow-green vaginal discharge

When the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes, some women still have no signs or symptoms. Others may experience one or more of the following symptoms, which can be an indication that the infection has progressed to pelvic inflammatory disease: lower abdominal pain, lower back pain, pain during intercourse, bleeding between menstrual periods, nausea, and fever.

Gonorrhea Symptoms in Men and Women:

Sore throat

Itching and redness around the rectum

Discharge from the anus or mucous in the stools

Slight fever

Rectal pain

Painful bowel movements

Sores around anus

Constipation

Frequent need to urinate

Pain when urinating

In rare cases, lower stomach pain

Additional Symptoms:

If the infection spreads to the bloodstream, fever, rash, and arthritis-like symptoms may occur.

If gonorrhea infects the eye, men and women might experience conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyelid lining). Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness, itching, and discharge from the eye.

The most common symptoms in newborns include conjunctivitis and pneumonia, which usually develop 5 to 12 days after birth.

Did this help you identify your STD Symptoms? Do you still have questions about your STD symptoms or would you like to share how your symptoms were similar/different? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

About the Author

Jenelle Marie Davis is the Founder & Executive Director of The STD Project, the STD Expert for Answers.com, and an adjunct professor. In her spare time, she spends time outdoors camping, snow shoeing, hiking, skiing, kayaking, growing things, running through sprinklers, and building sand castles. More importantly, Jenelle is proof an STD is not a deal-breaker or the end of your world; rather, it is merely part of the human experience. Learn more about her here and/or be her bff on Facebook, Google +, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, or Twitter.

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About the Founder

Jenelle Marie Davis is the Founder & Executive Director of The STD Project, the STD Expert for Answers.com, an adjunct professor, an eater of jello, and a lover of snow. She is also proof an STD is not a deal-breaker or the end of your world; rather, it is merely an unexpected curve-ball in this interesting game we call life. Learn more about her on her bio page and/or find her socially below.

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TheSTDProject.com is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice. The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.